I want to apply for Feb 2026. Should i start GMAT prep now?

Question

Hello, want to apply for February 2026 with the deadline being by the end of November. Will I be able to get ahead if I start preparing now?

Businessconquerer · Answer

Easily

Kyriakos1312 · Answer

Where do you suggest I start?

Thanks a lot!

Businessconquerer · Answer

Getting a profile evaluation with an admissions consultant to see what your target score & schools should be. (I can help with that part)

Then, GMAT club question Bank has all the questions you need for free. Stick to official GMAT and LSAT material for preparation as GMAT is still a pattern based test.

If you want to hire a tutor to get a quick refresher on all topics before you start solving, that could be useful too. There are some free videos sorted by topic on GMATClub YouTube channel

Kyriakos1312 · Answer

I know my target score and my target university. I will start shortly with YouTube channel thanks a lot!

Businessconquerer · Answer

What’s the target score and the university?

Kyriakos1312 · Answer

Maastricht university, around 600 the score

Businessconquerer · Answer

You might just want to give the Mock test with less than a week of prep.

Many people can get that score without much prep. Give it a shot!

If you are getting the desired score, you could save yourself some time🫶🏻

Kyriakos1312 · Answer

I don’t think so, I have a weakness in English and I believe that it makes it difficult for me to solve problems quickly. Thank you for your encouragement!

GmatKnightTutor · Answer

Fair to say starting sooner rather than later could be helpful. You could potentially avoid having to juggle GMAT prep, application essays, and work later on.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

I suggest you spend a day familiarizing yourself with the GMAT’s general structure and content, especially Data Sufficiency questions, which are unique to the GMAT. Then take an official practice test from mba.com to get your baseline score. Doing so will help you gauge the amount of work required to reach your target score.

In fact, this article will give you an idea about how many hours you’ll need to prepare:  How Many Hours Should I Study for the GMAT Focus?

Once you have a baseline score, adopt a prep strategy consisting of topical learning and practice. In other words, focus on just ONE topic at a time and practice that topic until you achieve mastery.

For instance, let's consider your study of Number Properties. First, immerse yourself in all aspects (formulas, properties, techniques and strategies) of this topic, and then, focus solely on Number Property questions. After each problem set, take the time to delve into your incorrect answers. This self-reflection is a powerful tool that allows you to understand your learning process and make significant improvements. For instance, if you made a mistake in a remainder question, ask yourself why. Was it a careless error? Did you not apply the remainder formula correctly? Was there a concept in the question that you didn't grasp?

By meticulously analyzing your mistakes, you will efficiently address your weaknesses and, consequently, enhance your GMAT quant skills. This process has been unequivocally proven to be effective. Number Properties is just one example; be sure to follow this process for all Quant, Verbal, and DI topics.

This article outlines the different phases of your prep:  The Phases of Preparing for the GMAT

Once you have mastered all of the content, you can begin taking official practice tests. With each test, carefully review your results to identify remaining gaps in your content knowledge and work on strengthening those areas until you fully understand them. Then (and only then) take another practice test. Repeat this process until you reach (or exceed!) your goal score.

Here’s an article on how to structure your prep:  GMAT Preparation Strategy

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I want to apply for Feb 2026. Should i start GMAT prep now?

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